Abdominal protector



July 2.2, 1941.` w. B. MATTHEWS ABDGMINAL PRoTEcToR Filed oct. A19, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /Ji f4.,

July 22, 194- W. B. MATTHEwsN. 2,249,966

ABDGMINAL PROTECTOR Filed oct. 19, 1939 2 Sheets--Shee 2 INVENTOR t Patented July 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE ABDOMBTAL PROTECTOR William e. Matthews, Irvington, N. J.

Application October 19, 1939, Serial No. 300,133

Claims.

This invention relates to a device adapted to be worn by athletes participating insports and by persons engaged in hazardous occupations,- for the protection of the abdominal area. The device is likewise adapted to be worn for esthetic reasons, because of the contracting effect it has on the abdominal area. l

An object of my invention is to provide an abdominal protector having an articulated protective panel constructed to readily yield and conform to the movements of the wearer, and, at the same time, afford effective protection tothe abdominal area of the wearer.

A further object of my invention is to provide a protector which is so constructed as to effectively absorb the impact of blows directed toward the abdominal area.

A further object of my invention is to provide a protector which will prevent injury to the wearer, assuring his ease of mind and increasing his efficiency on that score, Without impeding his participating in any work or sport.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will :be apparent from the following description when read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an abdominal protector embodying my invention, the straps thereof being indicated in dotted lines,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrows, enlarged to the preferred actual scale,

Fig. 3 shows the device of my invention, worn by a football player indicated in dotted lines,

Fig. 4 is va front elevational View of said -device,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an impact absorbing pad adapted for use in said device,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the flexible rib members of the continuous, articulated protective panel used in my device, the exing of the rib member being indicated in dotted lines, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the device, shown distorted as during the twisting of the wearers body.

Referring to the drawings by the reference numerals, my abdominal protector com-prises an endless band I0, preferably made of lastex interwoven with mercerized cotton to provide =a relatively tough, yet resilient material capable of being stretched to position the device on the wearers body Il, around the. abdominal area as shown in Fig. 3. The band I0 is preferably made of a length of suitable material, the free ends I4-l4 of which are marginally inturned; a strip I5 of any suitable material is superimposed on and sewed to the free ends I 1 -I4 as indicated in Fig. 1. The band is initially stretched to position the device on the wearers body, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 4, and will then cling tightly thereto; being taut when worn, it provides a rm support for the protective panel presently described.

The band l0 is preferably provided with straps I2 and with an athletic pouch I3 such as are common in athletic garments.

rIhe protective panel I6 of my invention comprises a plurality of iiexible rib members I'I sewed together in horizontal close relation, forming a substantially continuous articulated panel I6. The rib members Il are covered by sheets1I8-I8 of canvas or other suitable material, the rib members being stitched in aligned horizontal position between said sheets with merely sufficient space between the rib members for the horizontal rib stitches I9 to be applied, said stitches I9 preferably continuing to the vertical margins of said sheets. The panel I6 provides a substantially continuous, articulated impact absorbing panel protecting the entire abdominal area of the Wearer. At the same time, each rib member is free to yield independently of the others to conform to the movements of the Wearers body and to receive the impact of blows directed to the panel IS. The rib members I'I are preferably made of fiber, plastic, or any other suitable material which is relatively tough and yieldable, and Which will yield to absorb the impact of a blow and will then snap back to normal position, as indicated in Fig. 6. The rib members Il are preferably, as shown, of less length than the Width of the sheets lli-I8 and are centrally secured in position between said sheets to provide continuous vertical margins 30, enhancing the exing characteristics of the device. The sheets I8--I8 are marginally secured together, preferably by superimposing over the marginal edges of said sheets a marginal strip 20, preferably of canvas or similar material, the strip 20 being U-shaped in cross section and being secured to the sheets lli-I8 by stitching 2I or by any other suitable means. The lower horizontal portion 22 and the vertical portions 23 of strip `20 are preferably stitched directly to the band I0, while the upper longitudinal `portion 24 is not, thus providing a substantially three-sided pocket 25 on the band I0. The pocket 25 is open at the top 26 to enable an impact-absorbing pad 2l, preferably made of sponge or soft rubber or the like, to be positioned within the pocket. The pocket 25 may be closed by means of cords 28 carried by the marginal strip 2) and band I0, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

As the pad 21 is intermediate the articulated protective panel I6 and the band II] it serves to Vcushion impacts directed to the panel I6 and further serves to conform the panel I6 to the liexing of the band I0.

The band IIJ is normally taut when worn, so that the rib members I1 are held relatively rigid and, when a blow is struck at the panel I6, the stretching of the band I0 and flexing of the rib members I1 will absorb the impact. The pad 21 cooperates in absorbing the impact.

By varying the length of the rib members I1 the outline of the protective panel. I6 .may be correspondingly altered. Thus, by using ribmembers of graduated length, as in Figs. 1 and 3, a protective panel I6 of generally oval outline may be obtained. The oval arrangement is advantageous inthat it covers the abdominal area Without danger of the binding of the ribs I1 against the wearers body when the protective panel is distorted as in Fig. 3. The sheets I8 andpad 21 may have the square outline shown in the drawings or may have an outlinel corresponding with that ofthe protective panel I6 or maychave any other desired outline.

Although but few embodiments of the'invention'havebeen illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from Vthe spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

f Havingthus described my invention, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: I Y

1. An abdominal protector comprising a band adapted Ato be worn over the abdominal area, a

protective panel secured to said band, said panel l comprising. a plurality of rib members secured to said band in a horizontal, close, substantially continuous,A articulated arrangement, presenting asubstantially continuous, articulated panel for the-protection of, the abdominal area, and an impact absorbent pad interposed between the panel and band in registry with said rib members.

2. An abdominal protector comprising a band adapted to be worn on the abdominal area, a protective panel marginally secured to said band at three sides to present an open pocket adapted to receive an impact absorbent pad, lsaid panel comprising a plurality of rib members secured to said band in a horizontal, close, substantially continuous articulated arrangement, presenting a substantially continuous articulated panel for the protection of the abdominal area, and an impact absorbent pad interposed between the panel and band for registrywith said rib members.

3. An abdominal protector comprising a band adapted to be worn on the abdominal area, a protective panel marginally secured to said band, said panel comprising a plurality of rib members secured to said band in a horizontal, close, substantially continuous articulated arrangement,

presenting a substantially continuous, articulated panel for the protection of the abdominal area,and an impact absorbent pad secured to said band in registry with said panel.

4. An abdominal protector `comprising a band adapted to be worn on the abdominal area, a protective panel comprising a pair of sheet members marginally secured to said band at three sides presenting an open pocket adapted to receive an impact absorbent pad, and a plurality of rib members secured between said sheets in a horizontal, close, substantially continuo-us articulated arrangement presenting a substantially continuous articulated panel for the protection of the abdominal area.

5. An abdominal protector comprising a band adapted to be worn on the abdominal area, a protective panel comprising a pair of sheet members marginally secured to said band and presenting a pocket adapted to receive an impact absorbent pad, a plurality of rib members secured between said sheets in a horizontal close substantially continuous articulated arrangement presenting a panel for the protection of the abdominal area, and an impact absorbent pad secured in said pocket.

WILLIAM B. MATTHEWS. 

